Ayurveda, or the “science of life,” has been around for thousands of years and is arguably the oldest science of well-being. It predates nearly every other system of medicine we’re familiar with and its wisdom is still widely utilized today. It is recognized as a complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) in most western nations and is currently a primary system of health care in India, its country of origin. Meaning, Ayurveda has some serious merit. In contrast to the common beliefs of western medicine, Ayurveda teaches that a holistic perspective is the only way to truly treat a person.

“Ayurveda explores the symbiotic relationship among the mind, body, soul, the senses and their workings”

–  White Swan Foundation

The foundation of this science lies in seeking balance in all areas of being. Of course, “balance” is relative to every individual and is defined by their combined physical, spiritual, and emotional makeup. In Ayurveda, this is referred to as your constitution and functions as your equilibrium. When the balance is thrown off, health issues can occur. Ayurveda understands a person’s constitution as a mixture of the three primary energies, or doshas: vata, pitta, and kapha. They are derived from the five elements (space, air, water, fire, and earth). Here’s a brief rundown on each of them:

Vata is understood as the energy of movement. It powers all motions of and within the body, from running and walking to moving teeny tiny molecules across cellular membranes. The primary elements in vata are space and air, so when it becomes out of balance it can lead to feelings of anxiety and fear.
Pitta is related to metabolism, meaning it governs how you break down and integrate things into your being. These “things” can be food, energy, experiences, etc. Pitta is essentially responsible for your ability to process. It is derived from the fire element, so digestive issues or an overactive temper can result from out-of-balance pitta.
Kapha is primarily derived from the earth element and thus is responsible for creating structure and balance within the body. Its job involves everything from forming bones and muscles to grounding the spirit. Excess kapha can lead a person to become overweight and depressed.

A person’s innate balance of these energies is relatively stable from birth, but they do fluctuate over time and seasons with various stressors. With enough research, you might be able to intuit your constitution and which energies might be out of balance, or you can take an online quiz (like this one through Banyan Botanicals).

So, we know that Ayurvedic medicine seeks balance, but how exactly does it go about doing this? Ayurveda is truly magical in that it has seemingly limitless ways to help a person heal that don’t require a prescription. Some of the methods can feel a bit daunting (think oil pulling or dry-brushing), but many of them are very doable (drinking warm lemon water in the morning). There are a few primary areas in which Ayurvedic interventions fall:

  • Routine – Even if it’s just a small part of your day, routine is at the core of successful ayurvedic interventions. The idea here is to give your brain a time to rest where it isn’t constantly trying to decide what to do next. This can be as simple as getting up at a certain time every day. I’ve had seasons where I religiously get up at 6am, no matter when I went to sleep. Now, my routine looks more like me taking some time to meditate, read, walk, or do something else just for myself first thing in the morning.
  • Yoga (or mindful movement of some kind) – I think my friends and readers are sick of me talking about yoga but it’s just so darn good. Ayurveda and yoga are sister sciences, and regular yoga practice is believed to help prana, or life force energy, flow through your being. It’s a special kind of movement that connects the mind and body in a way many other physical practices aren’t able to.
  • Diet – Ayurveda has a wholly unique way of looking at food. There are a few main descriptors used to explain ayurvedic diets: dry, oily, heavy, and light. Basically, a salad is dry and light while steak is heavy and oily. It’s pretty intuitive. The sort of qualities you’ll want to look for in food depend on what you are trying to balance according to your particular constitution and the season.

The thing that I love most about Ayurveda is that it can quickly become intuitive. For example, I have a pitta-kapha constitution, meaning that I have a sharp mind but a tendency to fall into sedentary complacency. I’ve seen how getting up at a regular and early time, exercising every day, and eating light, well-spiced foods can help me feel balanced. However, in the fall when vata energy is higher (think about all those cool, windy days), I need to stay mindful of incorporating more grounding practices to counteract the seasonal shift. When you get in tune with your body, the tools provided by Ayurveda are an excellent way to give yourself some well-tailored and ancient-wisdom-infused self-love. I encourage you to take your own spin on these practices and get curious about how they might integrate into your own life.